IGCSE Environmental Management 0680 · Topic 5

Ecosystems, biodiversity and fieldwork: past paper questions

53 real questionsasked in 8 of the last 10 exam series2019–2027usually: Suggest, State, Identify, Explain, Calculate

Real questions on ecosystems, biodiversity and fieldwork

The newest 20 of 53 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q5b(i)[1]
Name the organisms that decompose waste.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q5b(ii)[2]
List two products of decomposition.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q5b(iii)[2]
List four factors that affect the rate of decomposition.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Name the type of species that can outcompete native species.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q6b(i)[2]
Identify two methods of pollination.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q6b(ii)[2]
Identify the two stages of a plant's life cycle that involve reproduction.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q6c(i)[3]
Identify the primary consumers and secondary consumer in the food web. Also identify an organism that feeds at trophic level two and three.
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0680/01 · Specimen 2027 · Q6c(ii)[2]
Calculate the biomass at trophic level two and three, given the biomass at trophic level one and the efficiency of energy transfer.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q7a[2]
Use the scale to estimate the area of the corridor. Show your working.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q7b[1]
Suggest why an international agreement was needed to set up the corridor shown on the map.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q7c_i[3]
Explain the benefits to tigers of connecting the two ecological reserves by a corridor.
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0680/11 · May/June 2024 · Q7c_ii[2]
Suggest reasons why this type of ecotourism is a sustainable activity.
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0680/12 · May/June 2024 · Q1[3]
The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle. (a) State the processes at A, B and C. A .................................................................................... B .................................................................................... C ............................................................
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q1a[3]
three processes that add carbon to the atmosphere.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q3a[2]
the terms: habitat, niche.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q3b_i[2]
a pyramid of energy for primary consumers, producers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q3b_ii[1]
the source of energy for a producer.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q8a[3]
three reasons for removing trees from an area of land.
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0680/11 · October/November 2023 · Q8b[7]
the impacts of deforestation.
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0680/21 · May/June 2023 · Q3b[2]
Suggest a suitable conclusion for these results.
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What examiners said

This question required explanations of how seed banks and zoos can help to maintain biodiversity. There were some excellent responses showing a good understanding of how zoos protect endangered animals by preventing predation, helping them to breed and releasing animals back into the wild to re-establish a population, or increase an existing population. Some candidates stated that zoos can educate...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0680/21 Q3(d) (Cambridge)

The vast majority of candidates plotted the bar chart accurately; the width of bar being drawn correctly in most cases. Where an error occurred it was usually due to the inaccurate plotting of the endangered and vulnerable species. Nearly all candidates gained credit for the correct order of the key and shading.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0680/11 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)

This question presented few problems and the majority of candidates were able to show a sound understanding of the concept of a seed bank. Credit was not given when conservation was referred to as this repeated the wording in the question. References to animal sperm banks were not credited.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0680/11 Q3(b)(i) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise ecosystems, biodiversity and fieldwork

In the syllabus

1 0680.5.1.1 — Describe the components of an ecosystem, limited to: (a) habitat (b) species (c) population (d) community (e) niche (f) prey (g) predator (h

Describe the components of an ecosystem, limited to: (a) habitat (b) species (c) population (d) community (e) niche (f) prey (g) predator (h) apex predator.
Describe the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem, limited to: (a) biotic (living): producers, primary, secondary and tertiary consumers and decomposers (b) abiotic (non-living): temperature, water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, salinity, light, pH.
Describe biotic interactions, limited to: (a) native and invasive species (b) competition (c) predation (d) pollination.
Describe pollination, limited to: (a) the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma (b) insect pollination by an insect pollinator (c) wind pollination (d) pollination leads to fertilisation followed by seed and fruit formation. Knowledge of the structure and naming of flower parts are not required.
Describe the process of photosynthesis and the importance of chlorophyll, limited to: (a) synthesis of glucose using carbon dioxide and water (b) sunlight as the source of energy (c) chlorophyll to capture light energy (d) word equation: carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen.
Describe and interpret energy flow using food chains, food webs and trophic levels, limited to: (a) 10% of energy is passed between trophic levels (producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer and tertiary consumer) (b) energy lost during life processes: movement, respiration, digestion and excretion.
Describe, interpret and explain ecological pyramids based on numbers and energy.
Describe the process of aerobic respiration, limited to: (a) break down of glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy, with carbon dioxide and water as waste products (b) word equation: glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.
Describe the carbon cycle, limited to: (a) photosynthesis (b) respiration (c) feeding (d) decomposition (e) formation of fossil fuels (f) combustion.

2 0680.5.1.2 — Describe the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem, limited to: (a) biotic (living): producers, primary, secondary and tertiary cons

Describe the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem, limited to: (a) biotic (living): producers, primary, secondary and tertiary consumers and decomposers (b) abiotic (non-living): temperature, water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, salinity, light, pH.

3 0680.5.1.3 — Describe biotic interactions, limited to: (a) native and invasive species (b) competition (c) predation (d) pollination.

Describe biotic interactions, limited to: (a) native and invasive species (b) competition (c) predation (d) pollination.

4 0680.5.1.4 — Describe pollination, limited to: (a) the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma (b) insect pollination by an insect pollinator (c) w

Describe pollination, limited to: (a) the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma (b) insect pollination by an insect pollinator (c) wind pollination (d) pollination leads to fertilisation followed by seed and fruit formation. Knowledge of the structure and naming of flower parts are not required.

5 0680.5.1.5 — Describe the process of photosynthesis and the importance of chlorophyll, limited to: (a) synthesis of glucose using carbon dioxide and wate

Describe the process of photosynthesis and the importance of chlorophyll, limited to: (a) synthesis of glucose using carbon dioxide and water (b) sunlight as the source of energy (c) chlorophyll to capture light energy (d) word equation: carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen.

6 0680.5.1.6 — Describe and interpret energy flow using food chains, food webs and trophic levels, limited to: (a) 10% of energy is passed between trophic

Describe and interpret energy flow using food chains, food webs and trophic levels, limited to: (a) 10% of energy is passed between trophic levels (producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer and tertiary consumer) (b) energy lost during life processes: movement, respiration, digestion and excretion.

7 0680.5.1.7 — Describe, interpret and explain ecological pyramids based on numbers and energy.

Describe, interpret and explain ecological pyramids based on numbers and energy.

8 0680.5.1.8 — Describe the process of aerobic respiration, limited to: (a) break down of glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy, with carbon

Describe the process of aerobic respiration, limited to: (a) break down of glucose in the presence of oxygen to release energy, with carbon dioxide and water as waste products (b) word equation: glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.

9 0680.5.1.9 — Describe the carbon cycle, limited to: (a) photosynthesis (b) respiration (c) feeding (d) decomposition (e) formation of fossil fuels (f) co

Describe the carbon cycle, limited to: (a) photosynthesis (b) respiration (c) feeding (d) decomposition (e) formation of fossil fuels (f) combustion.

10 0680.5.2.1 — Describe and explain the causes of deforestation, limited to: (a) logging and timber extraction (b) subsistence and commercial farming (c) r

Describe and explain the causes of deforestation, limited to: (a) logging and timber extraction (b) subsistence and commercial farming (c) roads and settlements (d) rock, ore and mineral extraction (e) hydro-electric power stations (f) climate change.
Describe and explain the impacts of deforestation, limited to: (a) habitat loss (b) loss of biodiversity (c) soil erosion and desertification (d) silting and flooding (e) global warming (f) changes to rainfall patterns (g) genetic depletion.
Define sustainable management of forests as balancing the needs of the environment, wildlife and humans while conserving forests for future generations.
Describe and explain the need for the sustainable management of forests, limited to: (a) climate regulation: trees act as carbon sinks and stores (b) role in water cycle: interception, water uptake, transpiration and surface run-off (c) flood control (d) prevention of soil erosion (e) genetic resource (f) food, medicine and raw materials (g) opportunities for recreation, ecotourism and education.

11 0680.5.2.2 — Describe and explain the impacts of deforestation, limited to: (a) habitat loss (b) loss of biodiversity (c) soil erosion and desertificatio

Describe and explain the impacts of deforestation, limited to: (a) habitat loss (b) loss of biodiversity (c) soil erosion and desertification (d) silting and flooding (e) global warming (f) changes to rainfall patterns (g) genetic depletion.

12 0680.5.2.3 — Define sustainable management of forests as balancing the needs of the environment, wildlife and humans while conserving forests for future

Define sustainable management of forests as balancing the needs of the environment, wildlife and humans while conserving forests for future generations.

13 0680.5.2.4 — Describe and explain the need for the sustainable management of forests, limited to: (a) climate regulation: trees act as carbon sinks and s

Describe and explain the need for the sustainable management of forests, limited to: (a) climate regulation: trees act as carbon sinks and stores (b) role in water cycle: interception, water uptake, transpiration and surface run-off (c) flood control (d) prevention of soil erosion (e) genetic resource (f) food, medicine and raw materials (g) opportunities for recreation, ecotourism and education.

14 0680.5.3.1 — Describe strategies for conserving the biodiversity and genetic resources of natural ecosystems, limited to: (a) sustainable harvesting of w

Describe strategies for conserving the biodiversity and genetic resources of natural ecosystems, limited to: (a) sustainable harvesting of wild plant and animal species (b) sustainable forestry (c) national parks and reserves (d) wildlife corridors (e) seed banks (f) zoos and captive breeding (g) ecotourism (h) international cooperation against animal trade (i) regulation of trade in vulnerable and endangered species (j) classifying organisms in terms of their threat level: threatened, endangered and extinct.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for conserving the biodiversity and genetic resources of natural ecosystems.

15 0680.5.3.2 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for conserving the biodiversity and genetic resources of natural ecosystems.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for conserving the biodiversity and genetic resources of natural ecosystems.

16 0680.5.4.1 — Describe how the scientific method can be applied to the collection of reliable data, limited to: (a) suggest aims and hypotheses (b) plan s

Describe how the scientific method can be applied to the collection of reliable data, limited to: (a) suggest aims and hypotheses (b) plan scientific methods: sampling strategies, sampling techniques, questionnaires, surveys, pilot studies (c) measured and control variables (d) independent and dependent variables (e) use of repeats and replicates (f) record data (g) analyse data (h) identify and process anomalies (i) form conclusions.
Describe sample strategies, limited to: (a) random sampling (b) systematic sampling.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of sampling strategies in 5.4.2 for measuring the populations of species.
Describe sampling techniques for measuring the populations of species, limited to: (a) pitfall traps (b) pooters (c) sweep nets (d) quadrats (e) transects (f) aerial photography and drones (g) automated sampling.
Discuss the benefits and limitations of sampling techniques for measuring the populations of species.

17 0680.5.4.2 — Describe sample strategies, limited to: (a) random sampling (b) systematic sampling.

Describe sample strategies, limited to: (a) random sampling (b) systematic sampling.

18 0680.5.4.3 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of sampling strategies in 5.4.2 for measuring the populations of species.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of sampling strategies in 5.4.2 for measuring the populations of species.

19 0680.5.4.4 — Describe sampling techniques for measuring the populations of species, limited to: (a) pitfall traps (b) pooters (c) sweep nets (d) quadrats

Describe sampling techniques for measuring the populations of species, limited to: (a) pitfall traps (b) pooters (c) sweep nets (d) quadrats (e) transects (f) aerial photography and drones (g) automated sampling.

20 0680.5.4.5 — Discuss the benefits and limitations of sampling techniques for measuring the populations of species.

Discuss the benefits and limitations of sampling techniques for measuring the populations of species.

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